Methods for pulverizing materials

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to the art of methods and apparatuses for grinding various materials into smaller particles; particularly, to those known in the art as pulverizing systems and devices. This invention provides methods and apparatuses for an improved disc mill assembly that utilizes a tapered flywheel and water jacket in conjunction with planar grinding disk cutting devices to create a tapered grinding channel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A. Field of Invention

This invention pertains to the art of methods and apparatuses forgrinding various materials into smaller particles; particularly, tothose known in the art as pulverizing systems and devices.

B. Description of the Related Art

Pulverizing systems with one or more disc mill assemblies are well knownin the art. Pulverizing systems are used to grind pelletized or shreddedplastics, nylons, polyesters and other polymers into powder; although itis to be understood that the invention could also be useful in otherindustrial applications. Such systems have traditionally included ahopper bin for storing input polymer materials, means for feeding theinput material to the disc mill assembly, means for carrying theprocessed ground material from the disc mill assembly to a sortingmodule, means for transporting acceptable ground material to a groundmaterial collection area, and a means for recirculating unacceptableground material to a second disc mill assembly for further grinding(although single disc mill assemblies are also known, and intended to becovered by the claims of this application). Most disc mill assembliestypically include a spindle, a flywheel, both a rotating disc and astationary disc with cutting surfaces (hereafter, collectively a“grinding disk” or “grinding disks”), a means for cooling the stationarygrinding disk (e.g., a waterjacket), means for introducing air into themill, and means for adjusting a distance between two facing cuttingsurfaces of the grinding disks. The grinding disks can be constructed ofany material chosen according to sound engineering judgment; includingthose having a malleable substrate.

Broadly speaking, the pulverizing system operates by moving polymermaterials stored in the hopper bin into the disc mill assembly, wherethe grinding disks—with cutting surfaces arranged in facing operativerelation—progressively reduce the size of the input materials until theyare of suitable size to exit the grinding channel by virtue ofcentrifugal force. The ground materials are then collected, and eitherstored, or re-circulated for additional grinding and/or processing.

Previously, disc mill assembly grinding disks were difficult tomanufacture and maintain in operational condition. In order toaccomplish the progressive grinding operation referenced above, grindingdisks have traditionally utilized a tapered cutting surface.Specifically, prior art pulverizing systems utilized tapered grindingdisks secured to planar flywheel and water jacket assemblies. Theassembly and arrangement of two grinding disks with tapered cuttingsurfaces in facing relation creates a grinding channel with a gap ofgreater height nearer the center of the grinding disks than at theirouter portions. Thus, input materials enter the disc mill assemblythrough material input openings in the inner portions of the waterjacket and grinding disk, and are pulled outward by centrifugal forcethrough a grinding channel with a gap of ever decreasing size—a processthat progressively reduces the size of the input material until it is ina substantially powder form. Unfortunately, the manufacture of grindingdisks having the aforementioned taper is difficult and expensive; itwould be preferable to manufacture a grinding disk with a flat cuttingsurface having the same functionality of a tapered grinding disk. Thus,there is a need in the art for a grinding disk with a cutting surfacethat is flat when manufactured, but functionally tapered when assembledinto the disc mill assembly.

Additionally, in order to withstand the forces exerted during thegrinding operation, grinding disks have traditionally been heavy andthick metal devices. This permitted the grinding disks to be securelybolted or otherwise attached to the water jacket and flywheel,respectively, and allowed for their periodic re-sharpening (where thethickness of the grinding disk gradually is reduced until the platebecame unusable). For example, the typical grinding disk becomesdegraded in the normal grinding operation, and must be either replacedor re-sharpened, after only approximately 150 hours of use. Thus,grinding disks were traditionally returned to the manufacturer forre-sharpening after a relatively short period of use, and the costsassociated with maintaining a pulverizing system included bothre-sharpening charges and shipping fees for regularly transporting theheavy devices round trip for maintenance. As a result, there is a needin the art for a disc mill assembly that eliminates the highre-sharpening and shipping costs associated with the traditionalgrinding disk by cost-effectively permitting the user to replace ratherthan re-sharpen the grinding disks.

The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for improved discmill assembly that solves the aforementioned problems in the prior art.

II. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, a new and improveddisc mill assembly for a pulverizing apparatus is provided, comprising ahousing; a flywheel received in the housing and adapted for beingoperatively secured to an associated rotating spindle, the flywheelcomprising a generally circular disc having a lower planar side; anupper grinding disk attachment side having at least two raisedconcentric mating members with sloped surfaces; an annular outer wallextending from the lower planar side to the upper grinding diskattachment side; and an inner wall extending from the lower planar sideto the upper grinding disk attachment side and defining a centralflywheel opening adapted to receive at least a portion of the associatedrotating spindle.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a flywheel for adisc mill assembly of a pulverizing apparatus is provided, comprising agenerally circular disc, having a lower planar side adapted for beingoperatively secured to an associated rotating spindle; an upper grindingdisk attachment side having at least two raised concentric matingmembers of different heights with sloped surfaces adapted for beingoperatively secured to an associated grinding disk; an annular outerwall extending from the lower planar side to the upper grinding diskattachment side; and an inner wall extending from the lower planar sideto the upper grinding disk attachment side and defining a centralflywheel opening adapted to receive at least a portion of the associatedrotating spindle.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method forpulverizing materials in a tapered grinding channel of a disc millassembly for a pulverizing apparatus is provided, comprising the stepsof: (A) Providing (1) a hopper bin containing materials, operativelyconnected to a material input channel; (2) a housing; (3) a flywheeladapted for being operatively secured to an associated rotating spindle,the flywheel comprising a generally circular disc having: a lower planarside; an upper grinding disk attachment side having raised concentricmating members of different heights with sloped surfaces, the matingmembers comprising an outer mating member and an inner mating memberhaving mounting apertures, wherein the outer mating member is of greaterheight than the inner mating member; an annular outer wall extendingfrom the lower planar side to the upper grinding disk attachment side;and an inner wall extending from the lower planar side to the uppergrinding disk attachment side and defining a central flywheel openingadapted to receive at least a portion of the associated rotatingspindle; (4) a water jacket adapted to be operatively secured to anassociated housing lid, the water jacket comprising a generally circulardisc having: an upper planar side; a lower grinding disk attachment sidehaving second raised concentric mating members of different heights withsloped surfaces, the second mating members comprising a second outermating member and a second inner mating member having mountingapertures, wherein the second outer mating member is of greater heightthan the second inner mating member; a second annular outer wallextending from the upper planar side to the lower grinding diskattachment side; and a second inner wall extending from the upper planarside to the lower grinding disk attachment side and defining a materialinput opening adapted for receiving materials into the disc millassembly; (5) a first grinding disk comprising a generally circular dischaving a planar attachment surface, a first planar cutting surface, andmounting apertures; (6) a second grinding disk comprising a generallycircular disc having a planar attachment surface, a second planarcutting surface, and mounting apertures; (7) grinding disk fasteners;(8) means for rotating the spindle; and (9) means for moving materialsin the hopper bin into the associated disc mill assembly; (B) Assemblingthe associated disc mill assembly for the associated pulverizingapparatus by (1) operatively positioning the flywheel and the waterjacket within the housing; (2) inserting at least a portion of theassociated spindle into the central flywheel opening and operativelysecuring the lower planar side of the flywheel to the associatedspindle; (3) aligning the mounting apertures of the inner mating memberwith the mounting apertures of the second grinding disk; positioning theplanar attachment surface of the second grinding disk on the slopedsurface of the outer mounting member; deforming the second grinding diskby passing grinding disk fasteners through the mounting apertures in thesecond grinding disk and the mounting apertures in the inner matingmember and tightening the grinding disk fasteners until the secondgrinding disk operatively contacts the inner mating member and definesthe bottom portion of a tapered grinding channel; (4) aligning thematerial input opening with the material input channel and operativelyattaching the water jacket to the housing in a stationary position; (5)aligning the mounting apertures of the second inner mating member withthe mounting apertures of the first grinding disk; positioning theplanar attachment surface of the first grinding disk on the slopedsurface of the second outer mounting member; deforming the firstgrinding disk by passing grinding disk fasteners through the mountingapertures in the first grinding disk and the mounting apertures in thesecond inner mating member and tightening the grinding disk fastenersuntil the first grinding disk operatively contacts the second innermating member and defines the top portion of a tapered grinding channel;and (6) positioning the first and second grinding disks so their cuttingsurfaces are arranged in facing operative relation and the first cuttingsurface and the second cutting surface together define a taperedgrinding channel; (C) Activating the associated disc mill assembly witha tapered grinding channel by (1) rotating the spindle; (2) movingmaterials from the hopper bin into the tapered grinding channel,wherein: (a) materials in the hopper bin move into the material inputchannel, through the material input opening, and into the taperedgrinding channel; (b) materials are pulled by centrifugal force throughthe tapered grinding channel and pulverized to reduced size.

One advantage of this invention is that the grinding disks for the discmill assembly can be provided at a reduced cost, whereby users of thepulverizing apparatus having the aforementioned disc mill assembly canreplace worn grinding disks instead of incurring sharpening and shippingcosts to maintain the pulverizing system in working condition.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the grinding disksare lighter weight, resulting in even greater costs savings to theconsumer due to reduced shipping costs, and also providing bettercontact between the water jacket and the grinding disk for coolingpurposes. Additionally, the improved grinding disks have a greatercutting surface area that provides increased material throughput.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that overall operatingcosts for a pulverizing system with the improved disc mill assembly areless than comparable previous systems, because grinding disks do nothave to be sent away for re-sharpening, temporary replacement grindingdisks do not have to be purchased and stored, and pulverizing systems ofthe present invention encounter less frequent down time due to worngrinding disks.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that manufacturinggrinding disks with planar, or flat, surfaces is more cost efficientthan producing grinding disks with the traditional tapered cuttingsurface.

Still other benefits and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon a readingand understanding of the following detailed specification.

III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement ofparts, embodiments of which will be described in detail in thisspecification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form apart hereof and wherein:

FIGS. 1A through 1C are top, side cross-sectional, and enlarged planviews showing the flywheel for a disc mill assembly of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 2A through 2C are top, bottom, side cross-sectional, and enlargedplan views of the water jacket for a disc mill assembly of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 3A through 3D are top, side, cross-sectional, and enlarged planviews of the grinding disk for a disc mill assembly of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are exploded, assembled cross-sectional, and enlargedcross-sectional views of the grinding disk and flywheel of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is an exploded and assembled cross-sectional plan view of thegrinding disk and water jacket of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the planar grinding disk of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a prior art example of the component parts andarrangement found in the typical pulverizing system. FIGS. 9 and 10 showan illustrative, but non-limiting, arrangement of the component partsfound in the improved disc mill assembly for a pulverizing apparatus ofthe present invention.

IV. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for purposes ofillustrating prior art pulverizing systems and embodiments of thepresent invention only and not for purposes of limiting the same, FIG. 7shows a prior art schematic diagram of a pulverizing system 10. Mostpulverizing systems 10 (hereafter, pulverizing apparatus) utilize thefollowing component parts: primary and secondary disc mill assemblies20′, 30′, a hopper bin 16′, means for moving materials from the hopperbin 16′ into the disc mill assembly 20′, 30′ (such means typicallycomprising a vibrating feeder 18′), a blower 22′, a sifter 24′, and acontrol panel 26′ for controlling the operation of motors 28′. Each ofthe disc mill assemblies 20′, 30′ preferably includes a material inputchannel 32′, a housing 34′, a spindle 36′, a pulley 38′, and a disc milloutlet 40′.

With continuing reference to FIG. 7, the control panel 26′ is incommunication with the vibrating feeder 18′, blower 22′, and motors 28′;and the motors are in communication with pulleys 38′ via belts 46′. Thehopper bin 16′ is in communication with the vibrating feeder 18′, whichin turn is in communication with the primary disc mill 20′ via a ductnetwork 48′. The blower 22′ is in communication with the sifter 24′, andthe sifter 24′ is in communication with the secondary disc mill 30′.

In the prior art pulverizing assembly shown in FIG. 7, the control panel26′ starts the blower 22′ to create a vacuum in the duct network 48′ andstarts the motors 28′ which cause rotating disc blades in the disc millassemblies 20′, 30′ to rotate via the belts 46′, pulleys 38′, andspindles 36′. Raw material (typically in either pellet or shredded form)to be ground is supplied to the hopper bin 16′ and flows to thevibrating feeder 18′. Examples of raw material include Linearlow-density polyethylene (LLDPE), Low-density polyethylene (LDPE),High-density polyethylene (HDPE), Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), Polybutyleneterephthalate (PBT), Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), nylons,polyesters, or other polymers; all of which are examples of conventionalraw materials supplied to pulverizing mills 10. One skilled in the artwill appreciate that the pulverizing system 10′ may also be used togrind other materials. The speed of the vibrating feeder 18′ iscontrolled by the control panel 26′. By varying the speed of thevibrating feeder 18′, the control panel 26′ controls or regulates theamount of the raw material supplied to the primary disc mill 20′ andthereby the corresponding throughput of the pulverizing system 10′. Theraw material flows from the vibrating feeder 18′ through the materialinput channel 32′ to the primary disc mill 20′. The primary disc mill20′ grinds the raw material into smaller particles using the rotatingfirst grinding disk 300′ attached to the flywheel 100′ and a stationarysecond grinding disk 350′ attached to the water jacket 200′. Thenegative pressure or vacuum in the duct network 48′ removes particlesfrom the primary disc mill 20′ through the disc mill outlet 40′ into thesifter 24′.

With continuing reference to FIG. 7, the sifter 24′ separates particlesaccording to size and routes particles that are smaller than apredetermined acceptable size to an exit channel 54′ for transportand/or collection as deliverable stock (e.g., powder). All otherparticles pass from the sifter 24′ through a recirculating channel 52′for re-introduction into the second disc mill 30′. The secondary discmill 30′ grinds the particles into smaller particles that are output tothe duct network 48′ and introduced (e.g., vacuum-fed) back into thesifter 24′ in the same manner as described for the primary disc mill20′. From the sifter 24′, the particles continue recirculating throughthe secondary disc mill 30′ until they are a size that will pass throughthe exit channel 54′.

With reference to FIG. 8, a prior art example of the general arrangementof a disc mill assembly, the diagram shows the material input channel32′, housing 34′, spindle 36′, housing lid 56′, water jacket 200′,flywheel 100′, and first and second grinding disks 300′, 350′. Theimproved disc mill assembly 20′, 30′ for a pulverizing apparatus 10′ ofthe present invention includes a housing 34′ not dissimilar from priorart varieties (See FIG. 8).

With reference now to FIGS. 9, 10, and 1A-1C, which show a detailed viewof the improved flywheel 100 of the present invention, the flywheel 100is a generally circular disc having a lower planar side 102, and asubstantially non-planar upper grinding disk attachment side 104, anannular outer wall 106 extending from the lower planar side 102 to theupper grinding disk attachment side 104, and an inner wall 108 extendingfrom the lower planar side 102 to the upper grinding disk attachmentside 104 and defining a central flywheel opening 120 adapted to receiveat least a portion of an associated rotating spindle 36. The flywheel100 is operatively secured to the rotating spindle 36, and receivedwithin the housing 34 in any manner chosen with sound engineeringjudgment. In some embodiments, the flywheel 100 is adapted for use witha disc mill assembly 20, while in others the flywheel 100 is claimedalone and could be used in conjunction with other devices.

The upper grinding disk attachment side 104, has at least two raisedconcentric mating members 110, 112 with sloped surfaces. In oneembodiment of the present invention, the raised mating members comprisean inner mating member 110 and an outer mating member 112, wherein thetwo mating members 110, 112 are of different heights and their slopedsurfaces are both at an angle of about 0.5° and 1.5°. In one embodimentof the invention, the flywheel 100 further comprises a raised center hub114 that facilitates the positioning of the second grinding disk 300 tothe flywheel 100 (See FIG. 3A) and directs input materials into atapered grinding channel (not shown, but described in detail below). Inthis embodiment, the height of the outer mating member 112 is greaterthan the height of the inner mating member 110, and the mating members'sloped surfaces are both angled in a downward fashion towards the centerhub 114. In still other embodiments, the flywheel 100 further includesan annular cavity 140 (See

FIG. 1C) disposed between the inner mating member 110 and outer matingmember 112.

With reference now to FIGS. 2A-2C, which show a detailed view of theimproved water jacket 200 of the disc mill assembly of the presentinvention, the water jacket 200 is a generally circular disc having anupper planar side 202, a substantially non-planar lower grinding diskattachment side 204, a second outer annular wall 206 extending from theupper planar side 202 to the lower grinding disk attachment side 204,and a second inner wall 208 extending from the upper planar side 202 tothe lower grinding disk attachment side 204 and defining a materialinput opening 220 adapted for receiving materials into the disc millassembly 200. The water jacket 200 is received in the housing 34, andoperatively secured to the interior portion of the housing lid 56 in afixed condition, in any manner chosen with sound engineering judgment.

With continuing reference to FIGS. 2A-2C, the lower grinding diskattachment side 204 has at least two raised concentric mating members210, 212 with sloped surfaces. In one embodiment of the presentinvention, the raised mating members comprise a second inner matingmember 210 and a second outer mating member 212, wherein the two secondmating members 210, 212 are of different heights and their slopedsurfaces are both at an angle of about 0.5° and 1.5°. In one embodimentof the invention, the height of the second outer mating member 212 isgreater than the height of the second inner mating member 210, and themating members sloped surfaces are both angled in a downward fashiontowards the material input opening 220.

With reference now to FIGS. 3A-3D, in some embodiments of the presentinvention the disc mill assembly 20 also includes first and secondgrinding disks 300, 350 designed and intended to be arranged in facingoperative relation. The first grinding disk 300 is a generally circulardisc adapted to be operatively disposed (attached) adjacent to theflywheel 100, via any means chosen according to sound engineeringjudgment. The second grinding disk 350 (See FIG. 5) is a generallycircular disc adapted to be operatively disposed (attached) adjacent tothe water jacket 200, via any means chosen according to soundengineering judgment. The first and second grinding disks 300, 350 bothhave planar attachment surfaces 302 and planar cutting surfaces 304. Asshown in FIG. 6, the planar cutting surface 304 of the first grindingdisk 300 includes a plurality of cutting edges extending radially from acentral vertical axis at a predetermined relatively constant angletoward the outer periphery of the cutting surface 304. This type ofcutting surface utilizes cutting edges well known in the industry, andtraditionally referred to as teeth. It is well known that the number ofteeth can vary, as well as the various angles and pitches associatedwith the teeth.

With reference now to FIGS. 3A-3D and FIGS. 9 and 10, in one embodimentof the present invention, the first and second grinding disks 300, 350both have mounting apertures 306 and center holes 308. In the firstgrinding disk 300, the center hole 308 is adapted to receive at leastportions of the raised center hub 114 and rotating spindle 36. In thesecond grinding disk 350, the center hole 308 is adapted to align withthe water jacket's material input opening 220. Additionally, theflywheel 100 and water jacket 200 have mounting apertures 130, 230. Inthis configuration, the first grinding disk 300 is operatively securedto the flywheel 100 by passing grinding disk fasteners (280) through themounting apertures of both the flywheel and first grinding disk 130,306; similarly, the second grinding disk 350 is operatively secured tothe water jacket 200 by passing fasteners (280) through the mountingapertures of both the water jacket and the second grinding disk 230,306.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the grinding disks have athickness of less than ⅝ inch (1.58 cm). In still further embodiments ofthe present invention, the grinding disks have a thickness of less than½ inch (1.27 cm). In yet further embodiments of the present invention,the grinding disks have a thickness of less than ⅜ inch (1.0 cm). Instill further embodiments, the grinding disks 300, 350 are constructedfrom a material including at least about 50% by weight nickel, at leastabout 15% by weight of cobalt, and at least about 13% by weight ofchromium. Broadly speaking, the grinding disk's 300, 350 for a disc millassembly 20, 30 of the present invention are substantially lighter, dueto reduced thickness, than previous blades—resulting in reduced shippingcosts from the manufacturer to the consumer. Additionally, the grindingdisks of the present invention retain the strength of thicker andheavier blades, but at a cost that enables users to merely dispose ofworn grinding disks rather than continually sending the grinding disksaway to be re-sharpened.

In one embodiment, a method for pulverizing materials in a disc millassembly having a tapered grinding channel created by the assembly anduse of the devices and components (described above) demonstrates theadvantages of the present invention. In contrast to the prior art discmill assemblies—that used tapered grinding disks mounted onto planarflywheels and water jacket's—the present invention utilizes planargrinding disks 300, 350 that are substantially deformable so as todefine a tapered grinding channel when properly mounted on the improvedflywheel 100 and water jacket 200, respectively. Specifically, theflywheel 100 and water jacket 200 have sloped surfaces and differencesin mating member height that deform an attached grinding disk 300, 350so as to create the top and bottom portions of a tapered grindingchannel.

The method for pulverizing materials in a tapered grinding channel isaccomplished by first operatively positioning the flywheel 100 and waterjacket 200 of the invention within the housing 34 in a manner whereintheir respective grinding disk attachment sides 104, 204 are in facingoperative relation. For positioning the flywheel 100, this includesinserting portions of the spindle 36 within the center hub 114 andcentral flywheel opening 120 so as to position the upper grinding diskattachment side 104 in facing relation to a water jacket 200. Forpositioning the water jacket 200, this involves aligning the materialinput opening 220 with the material input channel 32, and fixedlysecuring the water jacket to the housing lid 56 in a stationary positionwherein the lower grinding disk attachment side 204 is in facingoperative relation to the flywheel's upper grinding disk attachment side104.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4A and in greater detail in FIG. 4B, the planarattachment surface 302 of the first grinding disk 300 is positioned onthe sloped surface of the outer mating member 112, and the firstgrinding disk 300 is attached to the flywheel's upper attachment side104 by aligning—and then passing grinding disk fasteners 280 through—themounting apertures 306 of the first grinding disk 300 and the mountingapertures 130 of the inner mating member 110. Similarly, as shown inFIG. 5, the planar attachment surface 302 of the second grinding disk350 is positioned on the sloped surface of the second outer matingmember 212, and the second grinding disk 350 is attached to the waterjacket's lower grinding disk attachment side 204 by aligning and thenpassing grinding disk fasteners 280 through—the mounting apertures 306of the second grinding disk 350 and the mounting apertures 230 of thesecond inner mating member 210.

The tapered grinding channel is created when previously planar grindingdisks 300, 350 are attached to the flywheel 100 and water jacket 200 inthe manner described above. The outer mating member 112 and second outermating member 212 have a greater height than the inner mating member 110and second inner mating member 210. As a result, the first grinding disk300 is deformed into a bottom portion of a tapered grinding channel whengrinding disk fasteners 280 tighten the first grinding disk 300 untilit's planar attachment surface 302 also comes into contact with theflywheel's inner mating member 110. Similarly, the second grinding disk350 is deformed into the top portion of a tapered grinding channel whengrinding disk fasteners 280 tighten the second grinding disk 350 untilit's planar attachment surface 302 also comes into contact with thewater jacket's second inner mating member 210. Thus, when the disc millassembly's housing 34 is operatively assembled, the first grinding disk300 and second grinding disk 350 are in facing operative relation, andtheir respective cutting surfaces 304, 304 create a tapered grindingchannel having a grinding gap of greater height at the position wherethe grinding disks 300, 350 are attached to the inner mating member 110and second inner mating member 210 than at the position where thegrinding disks 300, 350 are attached to the outer mating member 112 andsecond outer mating member 212.

When the control panel 26 initiates the motor 28, blower 22, and otherpulverizing apparatus components to move material from the hopper bin 16into the disc mill assembly 20 and the tapered grinding channel, asdescribed in greater detail above, the method for pulverizing materialsclaimed below is completed.

The embodiments have been described, hereinabove. It will be apparent tothose skilled in the art that the above methods and apparatuses mayincorporate changes and modifications without departing from the generalscope of this invention. It is intended to include all suchmodifications and alterations in so far as they come within the scope ofthe appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A method comprising the steps of: (A) providing adisc mill assembly comprising: (1) a housing; (2) a flywheel comprisinga generally circular disc having first and second sides, wherein thefirst side has a first relatively inner raised mating member that israised to a first height and a second relatively outer raised matingmember that is raised to a second height, wherein the first height isdifferent than the second height; (3) a water jacket comprising agenerally circular disc having first and second sides, wherein the firstside has a first relatively inner raised mating member that is raised toa first height and a second relatively outer raised mating member thatis raised to a second height, wherein the first height is different thanthe second height; (4) a first grinding disk comprising a generallycircular disc having first and second sides, wherein the second sidecomprises a cutting surface; (5) a second grinding disk comprising agenerally circular disc having first and second sides, wherein thesecond side comprises a cutting surface; (B) attaching the first side ofthe first grinding disk to the first side of the flywheel wherein thefirst side of the first grinding disk contacts the first relativelyinner raised mating member and the second relatively outer raised matingmember of the first side of the flywheel to thereby deform the shape ofthe cutting surface of the first grinding disk; (C) attaching the firstside of the second grinding disk to the first side of the water jacketwherein the first side of the first grinding disk contacts the firstrelatively inner raised mating member and the second relatively outerraised mating member of the first side of the water jacket to therebydeform the shape of the cutting surface of the second grinding disk; (D)positioning the flywheel, water jacket, first grinding disk and secondgrinding disk within the housing wherein: (1) the second side of theflywheel is secured to an associated rotating spindle; (2) the flywheeland the first grinding disk are rotatable within and with respect to thehousing; (3) the second side of the water jacket is fixedly secured tothe housing; (4) the cutting surfaces of the first and second grindingdisks face each other; and, (5) a tapered grinding channel, that is usedto grind associated materials when the disc mill assembly is operated,is created between and defined by the cutting surfaces of the first andsecond grinding disks by the deformation of the first and secondgrinding disks.
 22. The method of claim 21 wherein: step (A) comprisesthe steps of: providing the first and second sides of the first grindingdisk to be substantially planar; and, providing the first and secondsides of the second grinding disk to be substantially planar; step (B)comprises the step of: deforming the second side of the first grindingdisk into a non-planar shape; and, step (C) comprises the step of:deforming the second side of the second grinding disk into a non-planarshape.
 23. The method of claim 21 wherein: step (A) comprises the stepsof: proving the flywheel with a plurality of mounting apertures formedon its first relatively inner raised mating member; and, proving thewater jacket with a plurality of mounting apertures formed on its firstrelatively inner raised mating member; step (B) comprises the step of:passing fasteners through the mounting apertures formed in the flywheeland through mounting apertures formed in the first grinding disk; and,step (C) comprises the step of: passing fasteners through the mountingapertures formed in the water jacket and through mounting aperturesformed in the second grinding disk.
 24. The method of claim 21 wherein:step (A) comprises the steps of: providing the second height to begreater than the first height for the flywheel; and, providing thesecond height to be greater than the first height for the water jacket;and, step (D) comprises the step of: creating the tapered grindingchannel to have a greater height at the position where the first andsecond grinding disks contact the first relatively inner raised matingmembers of the flywheel and water jacket, respectively, than at theposition where the first and second grinding disks contact the secondrelatively outer raised mating members of the flywheel and water jacket,respectively.
 25. The method of claim 21 wherein: step (A) comprises thesteps of: providing the first relatively inner raised mating member andthe second relatively outer raised mating member of the flywheel to havesloped surfaces that are angled at least 0.4 degrees in a downwarddirection towards the center of the flywheel; and, providing the firstrelatively inner raised mating member and the second relatively outerraised mating member of the water jacket to have sloped surfaces thatare angled at least 0.4 degrees in a downward direction towards thecenter of the water jacket; step (B) comprises the step of: angling thefirst grinding disk to match the sloped surfaces of the first relativelyinner raised mating member and the second relatively outer raised matingmember of the flywheel; and, step (C) comprises the step of: angling thesecond grinding disk to match the sloped surfaces of the firstrelatively inner raised mating member and the second relatively outerraised mating member of the water jacket.
 26. The method of claim 21wherein: step (A) comprises the steps of: providing the first and secondgrinding disks with center holes; providing the flywheel with a centerhub; and, providing the water jacket with a center hole: step (B)comprises the step of: inserting the center hub of the flywheel withinthe center hole of the first grinding disk; and, step (C) comprises thestep of: aligning the center hole of the water jacket with the centerhole of the second grinding disk.
 27. The method of claim 21 wherein:step (A) comprises the steps of: providing the housing with an inputopening and an outlet opening; and, the method further comprises thestep of operating the disc mill assembly to pulverize material by: (1)moving initial material into the housing through the input opening andinto a relatively larger area of the tapered grinding channel; (2)rotating the flywheel and first grinding disk with respect to the secondgrinding disk to grind the initial material into partially groundmaterial; (3) moving the partially ground material through the taperedgrinding channel to a relatively smaller area of the tapered grindingchannel as the flywheel and first grinding disk continue to rotate withrespect to the second grinding disk to grind the partially groundmaterial into further ground material; and, (4) moving the furtherground material out of the housing through the outlet opening.
 28. Amethod of pulverizing associated material comprising the steps of: (A)providing a pulverizing system comprising: a first disc mill assemblycomprising: (a) a housing an inlet opening and an outlet opening; (b) aflywheel comprising a generally circular disc having first and secondsides, wherein the first side has a first relatively inner raised matingmember that is raised to a first height and a second relatively outerraised mating member that is raised to a second height, wherein thefirst height is different than the second height; (c) a water jacketcomprising a generally circular disc having first and second sides,wherein the first side has a first relatively inner raised mating memberthat is raised to a first height and a second relatively outer raisedmating member that is raised to a second height, wherein the firstheight is different than the second height; (d) a first grinding diskcomprising a generally circular disc having first and second sides,wherein the second side comprises a cutting surface; (e) a secondgrinding disk comprising a generally circular disc having first andsecond sides, wherein the second side comprises a cutting surface; (B)assembling the first disc mill assembly by: (1) attaching the first sideof the first grinding disk to the first side of the flywheel wherein thefirst side of the first grinding disk contacts the first relativelyinner raised mating member and the second relatively outer raised matingmember of the first side of the flywheel to thereby deform the shape ofthe cutting surface of the first grinding disk; (2) attaching the firstside of the second grinding disk to the first side of the water jacketwherein the first side of the first grinding disk contacts the firstrelatively inner raised mating member and the second relatively outerraised mating member of the first side of the water jacket to therebydeform the shape of the cutting surface of the second grinding disk;and, (3) positioning the flywheel, water jacket, first grinding disk andsecond grinding disk within the housing wherein: (a) the second side ofthe flywheel is secured to a first rotating spindle; (b) the flywheeland the first grinding disk are rotatable within and with respect to thehousing; (c) the second side of the water jacket is fixedly secured tothe housing; (d) the cutting surfaces of the first and second grindingdisks face each other; and, (e) a tapered grinding channel is createdbetween and defined by the cutting surfaces of the first and secondgrinding disks by the deformation of the first and second grindingdisks; and, (C) operating the first disc mill assembly by: (1) movinginitial associated material into the housing through the input openingand into a relatively larger area of the tapered grinding channel; (2)rotating the flywheel and first grinding disk with respect to the secondgrinding disk to grind the initial associated material into partiallyground associated material; (3) moving the partially ground associatedmaterial through the tapered grinding channel to a relatively smallerarea of the tapered grinding channel as the flywheel and first grindingdisk continue to rotate with respect to the second grinding disk togrind the partially ground associated material into further groundassociated material; and, (4) moving the further ground associatedmaterial out of the housing through the outlet opening.
 29. The methodof claim 28 wherein: step (A) comprises the steps of: providing thefirst and second sides of the first grinding disk to be substantiallyplanar; and, providing the first and second sides of the second grindingdisk to be substantially planar; step (B)(1) comprises the step of:deforming the second side of the first grinding disk into a non-planarshape; and, step (B)(2) comprises the step of: deforming the second sideof the second grinding disk into a non-planar shape.
 30. The method ofclaim 28 wherein: step (A) comprises the steps of: proving the flywheelwith a plurality of mounting apertures formed on its first relativelyinner raised mating member; and, proving the water jacket with aplurality of mounting apertures formed on its first relatively innerraised mating member; step (B)(1) comprises the step of: passingfasteners through the mounting apertures formed in the flywheel andthrough mounting apertures formed in the first grinding disk; and, step(B)(2) comprises the step of: passing fasteners through the mountingapertures formed in the water jacket and through mounting aperturesformed in the second grinding disk.
 31. The method of claim 28 wherein:step (A) comprises the steps of: providing the second height to begreater than the first height for the flywheel; and, providing thesecond height to be greater than the first height for the water jacket;and, step (B)(3) comprises the step of: creating the tapered grindingchannel to have a greater height at the position where the first andsecond grinding disks contact the first relatively inner raised matingmembers of the flywheel and water jacket, respectively, than at theposition where the first and second grinding disks contact the secondrelatively outer raised mating members of the flywheel and water jacket,respectively.
 32. The method of claim 28 wherein: step (A) comprises thesteps of: providing the first relatively inner raised mating member andthe second relatively outer raised mating member of the flywheel to havesloped surfaces that are angled at least 0.4 degrees in a downwarddirection towards the center of the flywheel; and, providing the firstrelatively inner raised mating member and the second relatively outerraised mating member of the water jacket to have sloped surfaces thatare angled at least 0.4 degrees in a downward direction towards thecenter of the water jacket; step (B)(1) comprises the step of: anglingthe first grinding disk to match the sloped surfaces of the firstrelatively inner raised mating member and the second relatively outerraised mating member of the flywheel; and. step (C)(1) comprises thestep of: angling the second grinding disk to match the sloped surfacesof the first relatively inner raised mating member and the secondrelatively outer raised mating member of the water jacket.
 33. Themethod of claim 28 wherein: step (A) comprises the steps of: providingthe first and second grinding disks with center holes; providing theflywheel with a center hub; and, providing the water jacket with acenter hole: step (B)(1) comprises the step of: inserting the center hubof the flywheel within the center hole of the first grinding disk; and,step (B)(2) comprises the step of: aligning the center hole of the waterjacket with the center hole of the second grinding disk.
 34. The methodof pulverizing associated material of claim 28 further comprising thesteps of: (A) providing the pulverizing system with: a second disc millassembly comprising: (a) a housing an inlet opening and an outletopening; (b) a flywheel comprising a generally circular disc havingfirst and second sides, wherein the first side has a first relativelyinner raised mating member that is raised to a first height and a secondrelatively outer raised mating member that is raised to a second height,wherein the first height is different than the second height; (c) awater jacket comprising a generally circular disc having first andsecond sides, wherein the first side has a first relatively inner raisedmating member that is raised to a first height and a second relativelyouter raised mating member that is raised to a second height, whereinthe first height is different than the second height; (d) a firstgrinding disk comprising a generally circular disc having first andsecond sides, wherein the second side comprises a cutting surface; (e) asecond grinding disk comprising a generally circular disc having firstand second sides, wherein the second side comprises a cutting surface;(B) assembling the second disc mill assembly by: (1) attaching the firstside of the first grinding disk to the first side of the flywheelwherein the first side of the first grinding disk contacts the firstrelatively inner raised mating member and the second relatively outerraised mating member of the first side of the flywheel to thereby deformthe shape of the cutting surface of the first grinding disk; (2)attaching the first side of the second grinding disk to the first sideof the water jacket wherein the first side of the first grinding diskcontacts the first relatively inner raised mating member and the secondrelatively outer raised mating member of the first side of the waterjacket to thereby deform the shape of the cutting surface of the secondgrinding disk; and, (3) positioning the flywheel, water jacket, firstgrinding disk and second grinding disk within the housing wherein: (a)the second side of the flywheel is secured to a second rotating spindle;(b) the flywheel and the first grinding disk are rotatable within andwith respect to the housing; (c) the second side of the water jacket isfixedly secured to the housing; (d) the cutting surfaces of the firstand second grinding disks face each other; and, (e) a tapered grindingchannel is created between and defined by the cutting surfaces of thefirst and second grinding disks by the deformation of the first andsecond grinding disks; (C) determining that a portion of the furtherground associated material is secondary associated material thatrequires further grinding; and, (D) operating the second disc millassembly by: (1) moving the secondary associated material into thehousing through the input opening and into a relatively larger area ofthe tapered grinding channel; (2) rotating the flywheel and firstgrinding disk with respect to the second grinding disk to grind thesecondary associated material into additionally ground associatedmaterial; (3) moving the additionally ground associated material throughthe tapered grinding channel to a relatively smaller area of the taperedgrinding channel as the flywheel and first grinding disk continue torotate with respect to the second grinding disk to grind theadditionally ground associated material into finely ground associatedmaterial; and, (4) moving the finely ground associated material out ofthe housing through the outlet opening.
 35. A method comprising thesteps of: (A) providing a disc mill assembly comprising: (1) a housing;(2) a flywheel comprising a generally circular disc having first andsecond sides, wherein the first side has a first relatively inner raisedmating member that is raised to a first height and a second relativelyouter raised mating member that is raised to a second height, whereinthe first height is different than the second height, wherein the firstrelatively inner raised mating member and the second relatively outerraised mating member are arcuate and concentric; (3) a water jacketcomprising a generally circular disc having first and second sides,wherein the first side has a first relatively inner raised mating memberthat is raised to a first height and a second relatively outer raisedmating member that is raised to a second height, wherein the firstheight is different than the second height, wherein the first relativelyinner raised mating member and the second relatively outer raised matingmember are arcuate and concentric; (4) a first grinding disk comprisinga generally circular disc having first and second sides that aresubstantially planar, wherein the second side comprises a cuttingsurface; (5) a second grinding disk comprising a generally circular dischaving first and second sides that are substantially planar, wherein thesecond side comprises a cutting surface, (B) attaching the first side ofthe first grinding disk to the first side of the flywheel wherein thefirst side of the first grinding disk contacts the first relativelyinner raised mating member and the second relatively outer raised matingmember of the first side of the flywheel to thereby deform the shape ofthe cutting surface of the first grinding disk into a non-planar shape;(C) attaching the first side of the second grinding disk to the firstside of the water jacket wherein the first side of the first grindingdisk contacts the first relatively inner raised mating member and thesecond relatively outer raised mating member of the first side of thewater jacket to thereby deform the shape of the cutting surface of thesecond grinding disk into a non-planar shape: (D) positioning theflywheel, water jacket, first grinding disk and second grinding diskwithin the housing wherein: (1) the second side of the flywheel issecured to an associated rotating spindle; (2) the flywheel and thefirst grinding disk are rotatable within and with respect to thehousing; (3) the second side of the water jacket is fixedly secured tothe housing; (4) the cutting surfaces of the first and second grindingdisks face each other; and, (5) a tapered grinding channel, that is usedto grind associated materials when the disc mill assembly is operated,is created between and defined by the cutting surfaces of the first andsecond grinding disks by the deformation of the first and secondgrinding disks.
 36. The method of claim 35 wherein: step (A) comprisesthe steps of: providing the second height to be greater than the firstheight for the flywheel: and, providing the second height to be greaterthan the first height for the water jacket; and, step (D) comprises thestep of: creating the tapered grinding channel to have a greater heightat the position where the first and second grinding disks contact thefirst relatively inner raised mating members of the flywheel and waterjacket, respectively, than at the position where the first and secondgrinding disks contact the second relatively outer raised mating membersof the flywheel and water jacket, respectively.
 37. The method of claim36 wherein: step (A) comprises the steps of: providing the firstrelatively inner raised mating member and the second relatively outerraised mating member of the flywheel to have sloped surfaces that areangled at least 0.4 degrees in a downward direction towards the centerof the flywheel; and, providing the first relatively inner raised matingmember and the second relatively outer raised mating member of the waterjacket to have sloped surfaces that are angled at least 0.4 degrees in adownward direction towards the center of the water jacket: step (B)comprises the step of: angling the first grinding disk to match thesloped surfaces of the first relatively inner raised mating member andthe second relatively outer raised mating member of the flywheel; and.step (C) comprises the step of: angling the second grinding disk tomatch the sloped surfaces of the first relatively inner raised matingmember and the second relatively outer raised mating member of the waterjacket.
 38. The method of claim 37 wherein: step (A) comprises the stepsof: providing the first and second grinding disks with center holes;providing the flywheel with a center hub; and providing the water jacketwith a center hole: step (B) comprises the step of: inserting the centerhub of the flywheel within the center hole of the first grinding disk:and, step (C) comprises the step of: aligning the center hole of thewater jacket with the center hole of the second grinding disk.
 39. Themethod of claim 38 wherein: step (A) comprises the steps of: proving theflywheel with a plurality of mounting apertures formed on its firstrelatively inner raised mating member; and, proving the water jacketwith a plurality of mounting apertures formed on its first relativelyinner raised mating member; step (B) comprises the step of: passingfasteners through the mounting apertures formed in the flywheel andthrough mounting apertures formed in the first grinding disk; and, step(C) comprises the step of: passing fasteners through the mountingapertures formed in the water jacket and through mounting aperturesformed in the second grinding disk.
 40. The method of claim 39 wherein:step (A) comprises the steps of: providing the housing with an inputopening and an outlet opening; and, the method further comprises thestep of operating the disc mill assembly to pulverize material by: (1)moving initial material in o the housing through the input opening andinto a relatively larger area of the tapered grinding channel; (2)rotating the flywheel and first grinding disk with respect to the secondgrinding disk to grind the initial material into partially groundmaterial: (3) moving the partially ground material through the taperedgrinding channel to a relatively smaller area of the tapered grindingchannel as the flywheel and first grinding disk continue to rotate withrespect to the second grinding disk to grind the partially groundmaterial into further ground material; and, (4) moving the furtherground material out of the housing through the outlet opening.